Rose Alley Is the Hidden Gem Bringing Luxury to a Traditional Food Court

Luxury and food courts — two things that don't traditionally sit side-by-side, but Ponsonby's Rose Alley is here to flip the idea of a food court on its head. Rose Alley announced itself slowly but surely, first with an elusive rose painted on the side of a nondescript building on Rose Road — formerly The Vodka Room — followed by a soft launching of eateries, with even more to come.

The food, retail and office space is the passion project of long-time Ponsonby locals Greg and Malcolm Campbell, who grew up above a food court in the 1980s. The two brothers wanted to offer something "a bit different" that would emulate the "low-key comfort of Ponsonby Road".

While the lower level of Rose Alley will be home to food and retail vendors, upstairs will be offered up as office space to lease, or a space for local artists to exhibit their work. "We wanted to bring people into the space to do something cool, whether that be retail or whatever else," Malcolm Campbell said.

While a chunk of the space is still to be leased, Rose Alley has three vendors up and running — Pizza Monkey, Bar Beluga and Twentea.

Start your evening at Bar Beluga, a relaxed cocktail bar serving simple snacks with hospitality expert Paddy Dillon at the helm. The chic bar seats up to 50 people, with a constant rotation of innovative cocktails, Dillon's favourite craft beers, wines and mouth-watering charcuterie boards.

If you're looking for something a bit more substantial, head across the way to Pizza Monkey, where you can nab yourself a piping hot woodfired pizza, whether it be a classic margherita or a more adventurous truffle mushroom and miso combination. All pizzas are available by the slice, or as a whole pie, and you're more than welcome to take it back with Bar Beluga for a second (or third) drink.

Rounding up the offerings is Twentea, a bubble tea shop created by Malaysian couple Kimkun "KK" Lai and Mila Cheong, who have created milk tea blends that even the milk-adverse crowd can enjoy. The couple has put their own spin on the traditional bubble tea, avoiding artificial sweeteners and flavours, and instead whipping up fruit infusions and dairy-free options.

While these three food vendors are already making Rose Alley a must-visit for Auckland foodies, the brothers hope to have the space filled by summer, with rotating food trucks and espresso bars part of Rose Alley's final picture.